Shawls

Shawls are generally associated with the people living in the colder regions or hill stations. In layman terms, it is a simple piece of cloth, usually rectangular or square in shape worn loosely over the chest, arms and shoulders and at times over the head. The crucial and focal point of its existence can be credited to Kashmir hundreds of years back. Kashmiri shawls are well known and famed worldwide. Some of the famous Kashmiri shawls are the Kanikar, which has intricately woven in nature-like patterns; the Chenar leaf, apple and cherry blossoms, the rose and tulip, the almond and pear, the nightingale which are usually done in deep colours like maroon, dark red and brown.

The Jamiavar shawls have heavy embroidery and brocade work done in perfection and are suitable for wedding wear.

The Pashmina shawls are the most widely-known of all Kashmiri shawls and are woven from the wool of the Pashmina sheep. Due to their exquisite and extravagant quality of wool, they can go upto lakhs. It is also available in a variety of colours such as black, white, deep red and golden yellow. The have intricately woven or embroidered patterns and designs of Mughal gardens, tulips, paisley prints, floral prints and so on.

The most expensive of Kashmiri shawls are the Shatoosh shawls known for their fine weave. These are made from the under-fleece of the Tibetan antelope or Chiru. They are so thin and light and finely woven that they could be passed through a ring. They are a luxurious wear amonsts the French and English as well nowadays.

Kashmiri shawls were a pre-cursor for the high-fashion of Western Europe, China and other countries. In the mid-19th century Paisley shawls inspires from Kashmiri shawls were woven in the Western Europe. Later in the 19th century, China came up with silk shawls finished elegantly with fringes at the end.

At FleAffair, you can get a taste of this rich history and culture of shawls and you get to buy these shawls at affordable and reasonable prices.